COMBINED IMMUNOTHERAPY AND GENE THERAPY: SYNERGISTIC STRATEGIES FOR CANCER TREATMENT

Abstract

The cancer treatment landscape has been revolutionized by immunotherapy and gene therapy, both of which are emerging as promising modalities. The combination of these approaches, the focus of this study, aims to exploit synergies to maximize therapeutic benefits. The introduction highlights the theoretical basis of these combined therapies, outlining the immune balance in cancer, the immunomodulatory effects of conventional treatments and the centrality of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The methodology of this integrative review involved an extensive bibliographic search in scientific databases, focusing on fundamental and recent references on the subject. Studies addressing immunovirotherapy, modulation of immune checkpoints, gene therapy and advances in CAR-T cell therapy were selected. The critical analysis of these studies aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of synergistic strategies. The results of the review revealed a diverse range of synergistic approaches. Immunovirotherapy highlights an innovative strategy involving the delivery of oncolytic viruses by mesenchymal stem cells. The modulation of immune checkpoints is emerging as a consolidated strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Advances in gene therapy present the therapeutic potential of modified STING agonists.  The evolution of CAR-T cell therapies offers an optimistic outlook for clinical application. In conclusion, this article highlights the growing importance of combined immunotherapy and gene therapy in cancer treatment. The convergence of these synergistic strategies represents a promising advance in the search for more effective and personalized therapies. An in-depth understanding of these approaches, their interconnections and clinical implications could shape the future of cancer treatment, offering new perspectives for clinical practice and translational research.